CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES

EIN: 941156258 501(c)(3) Arts, Culture & Humanities

SAN FRANCISCO, CA

Total Revenue
$71,497,681
Total Expenses
$101,030,361
Total Assets
$761,119,834
Net Assets
$462,350,502
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Financial Trends

Organization Details

Formation Year
1871
Legal Domicile
CA
Principal Officer
SCOTT SAMPSON
Phone
4153795142
Tax Period
2022-07-01 to 2023-06-30

CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, founded in 1871, is a mid-sized nonprofit in the Arts, Culture & Humanities sector that reported $71.5M in total revenue in fiscal year 2022. Revenue decreased 19% compared to the prior year. Expenses of $101.0M exceeded revenue, resulting in a 41% operating deficit.

Mission

THE ACADEMY IS A RENOWNED SCIENTIFIC AND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION WITH A MISSION TO REGENERATE THE NATURAL WORLD THROUGH SCIENCE, LEARNING, AND COLLABORATION. BASED IN SAN FRANCISCO'S GOLDEN GATE PARK, IT IS HOME TO A WORLD-CLASS AQUARIUM, PLANETARIUM, RAINFOREST, AND NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM AS WELL AS INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS IN SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION, ALL UNDER ONE LIVING ROOF. THROUGH GLOBAL EXPEDITIONS, SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH, AND STRATEGIC AREAS OF FOCUS ON ISLANDS, CORAL REEFS, AND THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, ACADEMY SCIENTISTS STRIVE TO GATHER NEW KNOWLEDGE ABOUT LIFE'S DIVERSITY AND THE PROCESS OF EVOLUTION AND RAPIDLY APPLY THAT UNDERSTANDING TO OUR EFFORTS TO REGENERATE THE NATURAL WORLD. THROUGH EXHIBITIONS, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, AND PARTNERSHIPS THAT ADDRESS THESE SAME TOPICS- DELIVERED TO THE PUBLIC ON-SITE AT THE ACADEMY'S WORLD-CLASS AQUARIUM, PLANETARIUM, RAINFOREST, AND NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, IN THE COMMUNITY, IN BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOTS AROUND THE WORLD.

Program Service Accomplishments

Program 1
Expenses: $29,905,647 Revenue: $3,863,556

EXHIBITS AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT: THE ALL-DIGITAL MORRISON PLANETARIUM USES CUTTING EDGE VISUALIZATIONS AND SCIENTIFIC DATA TO SHARE CURRENT DISCOVERIES AND INCREASE SCIENCE LITERACY THROUGH IMMERSIVE...

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EXHIBITS AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT: THE ALL-DIGITAL MORRISON PLANETARIUM USES CUTTING EDGE VISUALIZATIONS AND SCIENTIFIC DATA TO SHARE CURRENT DISCOVERIES AND INCREASE SCIENCE LITERACY THROUGH IMMERSIVE SHOWS THAT ROTATE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THE HIDDEN WONDERS EXHIBIT PROVIDES AN UNPRECEDENTED PEEK AT SOME OF THE STANDOUT SPECIMENS FROM OUR SCIENTIFIC COLLECTIONS-INCLUDING SOME ON VIEW FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME. BUGS ENABLES VISITORS TO SEE THE WORLD FROM INSECTS' POINT OF VIEW, AND LEARN HOW THEY'VE EVOLVED THEIR UNIQUE ADAPTATIONS AND BEHAVIORS. THE GIANTS OF LAND AND SEA EXHIBIT CELEBRATES NORTHERN CALIFORNIA'S ICONIC NATURAL PHENOMENA LIKE REDWOODS, MARINE MAMMALS, AND FOG. THE COLOR OF LIFE EXHIBIT EXPLORES THE ROLE OF COLOR IN THE NATURAL WORLD WITH VIBRANT LIVE ANIMALS, SPECIMENS, AND IMMERSIVE INTERACTIVITIES. GEMS AND MINERALS UNEARTHED SHOWCASES SPECIMENS FROM THE ACADEMY'S RENOWNED GEOLOGY COLLECTION. BIGPICTURE SHOWCASES WINNING IMAGES FROM THE ACADEMY'S ANNUAL, INTERNATIONAL WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION WITH A DISPLAY THAT ROTATES ANNUALLY.

Program 2
Expenses: $22,166,505 Revenue: $425,832

BIODIVERSITY SCIENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY: THE ACADEMY'S INSTITUTE FOR BIODIVERSITY SCIENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY (IBSS) IS HOME TO MORE THAN 100 WORLD-CLASS SCIENTISTS, OVER 100 RESEARCH ASSOCIATES...

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BIODIVERSITY SCIENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY: THE ACADEMY'S INSTITUTE FOR BIODIVERSITY SCIENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY (IBSS) IS HOME TO MORE THAN 100 WORLD-CLASS SCIENTISTS, OVER 100 RESEARCH ASSOCIATES GLOBALLY, AND MORE THAN 500 DISTINGUISHED FELLOWS WHO GATHER NEW KNOWLEDGE ABOUT LIFE'S DIVERSITY AND THE PROCESS OF EVOLUTION AND RAPIDLY APPLY THAT UNDERSTANDING TO OUR EFFORTS TO REGENERATE THE NATURAL WORLD. THROUGH INNOVATIVE PARTNERSHIPS AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVES, THEY ALSO GUIDE CRITICAL CONSERVATION DECISIONS WORLDWIDE, INSPIRE AND MENTOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF SCIENTISTS, AND FOSTER RESPONSIBLE STEWARDSHIP OF OUR PLANET SO THAT HUMANS AND NATURE CAN THRIVE TOGETHER.

Program 3
Expenses: $14,667,494 Revenue: $90,644

AQUARIUM: THE STEINHART AQUARIUM IS HOME TO 60,000 LIVE ANIMALS REPRESENTING MORE THAN 1,000 UNIQUE SPECIES, AND ITS INNOVATIVE EXHIBITS INCLUDE THE LARGEST AND DEEPEST INDOOR CORAL REEF IN THE...

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AQUARIUM: THE STEINHART AQUARIUM IS HOME TO 60,000 LIVE ANIMALS REPRESENTING MORE THAN 1,000 UNIQUE SPECIES, AND ITS INNOVATIVE EXHIBITS INCLUDE THE LARGEST AND DEEPEST INDOOR CORAL REEF IN THE WORLD. THE FOUR-STORY RAINFOREST HAS FREE-FLYING BIRDS AND BUTTERFLIES AND EXOTIC REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS. IN ADDITION TO DELIGHTING GUESTS WITH ITS LIVING COLLECTIONS, FOR DECADES THE AQUARIUM HAS PLAYED A CRITICAL ROLE IN SPECIES SURVIVAL PLANS FOR ENDANGERED ANIMALS LIKE ITS CHARISMATIC COLONY OF AFRICAN PENGUINS. FOR MORE THAN 25 YEARS, THE STEINHART AQUARIUM HAS PROUDLY HELD THE GOLD STANDARD ACCREDITATION FROM THE ASSOCIATION OF ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS, A STAMP OF APPROVAL RESERVED FOR FACILITIES THAT EMBODY THE VERY BEST IN ANIMAL CARE AND WELFARE, CONSERVATION, AND EDUCATION.

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Trantor Score

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Liquidity (40%) • Solvency (30%) • Sustainability (20%) • Efficiency (10%)

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Financial Overview (2022)

Revenue Breakdown

Contributions & Grants $36,715,874
Program Service Revenue $27,711,258
Investment Income $6,453,746
Other Revenue $616,803
TOTAL REVENUE $71,497,681

Expense Breakdown

Grants Paid $290,548
Salaries & Benefits $50,726,158
Fundraising Expenses $6,223,900
Program Expenses $75,406,063
Other Expenses $49,633,942
TOTAL EXPENSES $101,030,361

Year-over-Year Comparison

2022 2021 Change
Revenue $71,497,681 $88,151,036 -0.2%
Expenses $101,030,361 $83,793,845 +0.2%
Net Income $-29,532,680 $4,357,191 -7.8%
Key Indicators
Grants to Organizations Grants to Individuals Lobbying Political Activity Foreign Activities Donor Advised Fund Schedule B Required
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Governance

Voting Members
39
Independent Members
39
Employees
658
Volunteers
442

Governance Policies

Conflict of Interest Policy
Whistleblower Policy
Document Retention Policy

Special Practices & Reported Activities

Operated a School
Operated a Hospital
Provided First Class Travel
Reported Conflict of Interest
Reported Asset Diversion
Excess Benefit Transaction
Made Political Expenditures
Engaged in Lobbying
Operated Donor Advised Fund
Maintained Art Collections
Filed Form 720

Compensation of Officers, Directors & Key Employees

Total Officers
7
$1,113,370
Total Directors
39
$0
Key Employees
6
$2,006,544
Highest Compensated
5
reported
Name Title Hours/Week Role Reportable Comp Other Comp Total
CHARLES MARSHALL PRESIDENT 2.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
ELIZABETH BLACKBURN VICE PRESIDENT 2.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
DAN JANNEY CHAIR 1.50
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
GARY STEELE VICE CHAIR 1.50
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
DEREK MITCHELL SECRETARY 1.50
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
NICOLE ARDOIN TRUSTEE 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
COREY GARZA TRUSTEE 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
ADAM GAZZALEY TRUSTEE 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
JEFFREY KOSEFF TRUSTEE 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
CHRISTOPHER SCHELL TRUSTEE 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
LISA WHITE TRUSTEE 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
FELICIA CHIU TRUSTEE 0.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
JOHN GOLDMAN TRUSTEE 0.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
JOHN ADAMS TRUSTEE 0.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
KIAN BEYZAVI TRUSTEE 0.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
NATHAN BROSTROM TRUSTEE 0.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
JOHN DWYER TRUSTEE 0.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
MARC EBBIN TRUSTEE 0.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
CHRIS FIELD TRUSTEE 0.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
JACK FORESTELL TRUSTEE 0.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
LAURA FURSTENTHAL TRUSTEE 0.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
GARY HALL TRUSTEE 0.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
KEVIN HARTZ TRUSTEE 0.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
TESSA HILL TRUSTEE 0.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
STEVE KAWA TRUSTEE 0.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
NICOLE LACOB TRUSTEE 0.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
REBECCA LIN TRUSTEE 0.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
CHRISSY LUO TRUSTEE 0.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
LARRY MIAO TRUSTEE 0.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
MICHAEL MILLMAN TRUSTEE 0.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
MARIE O'GARA LIPMAN TRUSTEE 0.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
CARLA PETERMAN TRUSTEE 0.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
ANDREW J SCHWAB TRUSTEE 0.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
MIKE SWEENEY TRUSTEE 0.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
BILL YOUNGER JR TRUSTEE 0.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
KIRSTEN RHODES TRUSTEE 0.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
RON ZEFF TRUSTEE 0.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
NICK GIOVANNI TRUSTEE 0.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
ZACK LARA TRUSTEE 0.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
SCOTT SAMPSON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40.00
Officer
$632,626 $240,102 $872,728
MATHEW LAU INTERIM CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER 40.00
Officer
$214,912 $25,730 $240,642
MELISSA FELDER CHIEF EXPERIENCE OFFICER 40.00
Key Emp
$364,092 $49,456 $413,548
MARY NEMEROV CHIEF PHILANTHROPY OFFICER 40.00
Key Emp
$354,198 $16,346 $370,544
SHANNON BENNETT CHIEF OF SCIENCE & DEAN OF RSRCH 40.00
Key Emp
$288,010 $53,142 $341,152
IKE KWON COO/HEAD OF GOV AFFRS (THRU 3/23) 40.00
Key Emp
$284,166 $50,220 $334,386
MICHAEL COSTANZO GENERAL COUNSEL & CHIEF OF STAFF 40.00
Key Emp
$253,838 $52,697 $306,535
AMY MILLER INTERIM DEAN OF EDUCATION 40.00
Key Emp
$196,574 $43,805 $240,379
LUIZ ROCHA CURATOR, ICHTHYOLOGY 40.00
Highest
$271,873 $49,986 $321,859
CATHY ESTELLE DRCTR OF SALES/BUSINESS PRTNRSHPS 40.00
Highest
$234,622 $43,295 $277,917
BART SHEPHERD SR DIRECTOR OF STEINHART AQUARIUM 40.00
Highest
$232,452 $53,003 $285,455
RYAN WYATT SR DIRECTOR, MORRISON PLANETARIUM 40.00
Highest
$226,302 $17,640 $243,942
DONNA DIBARTOLOMEO SENIOR DIRECTOR OF EXHIBITS 40.00
Highest
$208,887 $18,195 $227,082
MIKE MCGEE FORMER CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER 40.00
$141,491 $15,793 $157,284
RAUL DEL BARCO FORMER CHIEF HUMAN RSRCS OFFICER 40.00
$377,827 $13,363 $391,190
Note: Compensation data is self-reported by the organization on their Form 990. "Reportable Comp" includes salary, bonuses, and other reportable compensation from the organization and related organizations. "Other Comp" includes benefits, deferred compensation, and non-taxable benefits.

Historical Data

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Net Income
2025 No data No data No data No data
2024 No data No data No data No data
2023 $71,497,681 $101,030,361 $761,119,834 $-29,532,680
2022 $88,151,036 $83,793,845 $776,432,772 $4,357,191
2021 $95,197,826 $68,739,031 $832,230,890 $26,458,795
2020 $66,454,649 $86,327,913 $804,050,299 $-19,873,264
2019 $74,649,716 $91,774,768 $877,897,606 $-17,125,052
2018 $85,791,677 $89,722,893 $820,540,197 $-3,931,216
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